The Tempest | Themes
Witnessing a banquet complete with sprites and the shapes of unicorns, Gonzalo says: "If in Naples, I should report this now, would they believe me?" (III.iii.27-28). His sentiments are echoed by reformed King Alonso in his final word on Prospero's island and magical art:
This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod;
And there is in this business more than nature
Was ever conduct of: some oracle
Must rectify our knowledge.
(V.i.241-244)
In The Tempest illusion competes with reality and wins despite what our minds, and...
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- The Tempest: Introduction
- The Tempest: Summary
- The Tempest: William Shakespeare Biography
- The Tempest: Reading Shakespeare
- The Tempest: List of Characters
- The Tempest: Historical Background
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The Tempest: Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 1-188 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 189-320 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 321-374 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 375-504 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 1-184 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 185-328 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 1-163 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 164-266 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, lines 1-87 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, 88-171 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, 172-255 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, Lines 256-330 Summary and Analysis
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The Tempest: Quizzes
- Act I, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 1-188 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 189-320 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 321-374 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 375-504 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 1-184 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 185-328 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 2 Questions and Answers
- Act III, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- Act III, Scene 2 Questions and Answers
- Act III, Scene 3 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 1-163 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 164-266 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, lines 1-87 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, 88-171 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, 172-255 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, Lines 256-330 Questions and Answers
- The Tempest: Essential Passages
- The Tempest: Themes
- The Tempest: Character Analysis
- The Tempest: Principal Topics
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The Tempest: Essays
- Does Shakespeare Critique European Colonialism in The Tempest?
- Prospero and Shakespeare
- Ariel and Allegory in The Tempest
- Caliban: A Character Study
- Themes in The Tempest
- Father-Daughter Relationships in Shakespeare's Pericles, The Winter's Tale, and The Tempest
- The Tempest: Illusion and Reality
- The Tempest: An Overview
- The Tempest and Colonialism Revisited
- The Tempest: Criticism
- The Tempest: Selected Quotes
- The Tempest: Suggested Essay Topics
- The Tempest: Sample Essay Outlines
- The Tempest: Modern Connections
- The Tempest: FAQs
- The Tempest: Bibliography and Further Reading
- The Tempest: Pictures
- Copyright
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